Incandescent:

• Emits a yellow-white light in all directions
• Readily available and comparatively inexpensive
• Available in a number of different shapes and wattages
• Brightness can be customized by wattage or with the use of a dimmer switch
• Bulbs can be frosted  or clear
• Medium base, standard-style incandescent bulbs are often used in flush mounts, pendants and sconces
• Candelabra base, decorative incandescent bulbs are often used in chandeliers and semi-flush mount fixtures

• Whiter and brighter, xenon emits more light per watt than standard incandescent bulbs
• Miniature shape allows us to lighting designers to create compact fixtures without sacrificing illumination intensity
• Operate at a lower temperature than halogen bulbs
• Life rating of up to 20,000 hours

Fluorescent:

• Available in a range of color temperatures, fluorescents can deliver light that is cool and white or warm and bright
• Recent innovations have produced fluorescent lights that resemble the output of incandescent bulbs
• Consume a fraction of the electricity of incandescents and last up to 20 times longer
• Compact fluorescent screw-in bulbs can directly replace medium base and candelabra bulbs in a number of fixtures

Here’s a look at a few…

Miele MasterChef 30″ Single Oven

Electrolux Double Wall Oven

Frigidaire French Door Refrigerator

Bertazzoni 48″ 6-Burner Range

Broan Ventilation Hood

What do you think of white appliances?

(source: Pinterest)

While flush mounts are still considered standard for ambient bathroom lighting, the opportunity for creative expression is there. Pendants and tightly-scaled chandeliers can add a touch of unexpected style. Sconces can help create the soothing ambiance of a private day spa. Shadow-free illumination at the vanity is essential to grooming tasks.

Though bathroom lighting finish choices are varied, fixtures in chrome and brass are sure to match other bath accessories. Softer bronze tones offer a more traditional, classic look and pairs well with finishes like oil rubbed bronze.

(source: Pinterest)

For the vanity: Well diffused light is necessary to avoid shadow or glare while performing grooming tasks likes shaving or applying makeup. Fixtures with opaque glass or clear glass shades pressed with a prismatic surface spread light evenly while preserving intensity.

(source: Pinterest)

For the shower: Stalls require additional overhead lighting to assist with hygiene tasks. Be sure that the fixture you choose is UL rated for wet locations.

(source: Pinterest)

For tubs and jacuzzis: A chandelier or decorative pendant installed above a freestanding tub can really make a statement. Surrounding a tub by sconces helps create a special ambiance. With the overhead light fixture turned off, bathers are left to bask in the relaxing glow.

(tips via Hudson Valley Lighting)

Classical design combines with modern technology in the Cassidy. New from Delta, the Cassidy is a single handle pull-out kitchen faucet available for beautiful finishes.

Champagne Bronze

Arctic Stainless

 

Chrome

Venetian Bronze

The style is a perfect fit for a transitional or traditionally styled kitchen.  Features include:

• 2-function wand – stream and spray mode with Touch-Clean nozzles for easy cleaning
• Spout rotates 120 degrees for added convenience

Flush mount:

• Ideal for providing ambient lighting in high traffic areas such as hallways and entry ways.
• Great option when low-hanging fixtures would impair functionality and flow.
• Spaces that only require one “layer” of lighting, such as closets and laundry rooms, are well-served by flush mount fixtures.
• Flush mount fixtures rated for damp conditions work well in the shower or above a bath alcove
• In hallways, flush mount fixtures should be placed approximately every 10′

• The most versatile of all the decorative lighting fixtures, pendants can be used to provide task, ambient or accent lighting.
• Pendants are more compact than chandeliers, which means they lend themselves better to pairing and clustering
• In foyers, pendants shouldn’t hang lower than 7′ from the floor
• Regarding kitchen islands, leave approximately 30-32″ from the countertop to the base of the fixture

Island Lights

• Island lights provide a single fixture option for lighting across and elongated surface
• Fabric or glass shaded island lights will deliver both task and ambient light
• A metal-shaded island light will emit strictly downward facing task light
• Keep approximately 30″ of space between the kitchen counter and the base of the lighting fixture

Ballet White OC-9 Paint

White with a touch of cream will look instantly antique on farmhouse siding — great on its own or with a contrasting color on shutters.

Small Warehouse/Barn Light

The classic barn light looks sleek and even a little modern in a glossy finish.

Railings No. 31 Paint

Railings paint from Farrow & Ball, a nearly black bronze, would look smart on farmhouse shutters.

Weathered Antique Pine Flooring

If you are lucky enough to have original wood floors, do whatever you can to restore and use them. If not, a close second would be tracking down some reclaimed lumber, like the gorgeous heart pine flooring shown here.

Apron Farmhouse Kitchen Sink

The apron-front farmhouse sink is utterly classic and built to last for generations. A double apron-front farmhouse sink by Rohl is a worthy splurge.

Vintage-inspired Pull

Simple and stately, pulls with a dark finish would do well paired with Shaker cabinets.

Claw-foot tub

A claw-foot tub is the quintessential pick for a farmhouse bathroom. Warm, comfy touches like beadboard wainscoting and built-in details finish the look.

Estrella Silver Blend | Artistic Tile

Jacqueline | New Ravenna

Chrysanthemum Calacatta Gold With Mother of Pearl | Artistic Tile

Fiori Smoke Water Jet Mosaic | Artistic Tile

Massalia Pewter Floral Accent | Daltile

Peony | New Ravenna

Stratus Floral Glass Floor Tile | Interstyle

Here’s a closer look at some of these trends…

Gray / neutral cabinets

Nickel finishes

Cool factor (plaid tile)

White hardware

What do you think of the top kitchen trends for 2013? Will you be incorporating any in your kitchen?

(source: Pinterest)

The 1st Layer: Establishing Necessary Ambient Lighting

The 2nd Layer: Task Lighting Specific to Each Room’s Use

The 3rd Layer: Enhancing Design Features with Accent Lighting

While the ambient and task layers of lighting are each necessary for the functionality of a room, accent lighting enhances the impact of architectural and decor features. Thoughtful placement of accent fixtures elevates light itself to an essential role in the overall design schematic. First identify the interesting features of a room – be it an antique sideboard, a stone fireplace, a painting, or otherwise.

To determine how many watts of accent lighting will achieve the desired effect:

• Select fixtures that will illuminate the accent are with approximately three time the light of the surrounding area

(source: Pinterest)

The 1st Layer: Establishing Necessary Ambient Lighting

The 2nd Layer: Task Lighting Specific to Each Room’s Use

Once an adequate level of ambient lighting is established, the next step is o think about the various activities that are carried-out in a given space. The typical tasks of kitchen space vary substantially from those of the bathroom, and each has its own lighting requirements. Identify which areas of a room will be dedicated to a given activity and approximately how much space is needed to perform the activity is food preparation, the space required would equal the dimensions of the countertop where the work will be done.

To determine how many watts of incandescent light are needed for task lighting:

• Multiply the total square footage of the task area by 2.5
• If a kitchen island is 3′x5′, multiply 15 (the number of square feet) by 2.5 to dtermine that 38 is the minimum wattage output you will need.